Test Patterns: Sebring
Testing on February 10-11 at Sebring International Raceway wasn't classified as an NTT INDYCAR SERIES Open Test, but the private team test at the historic Florida circuit still provided valuable insights as the 2026 season approaches.
Twenty-four drivers took laps on the 1.67-mile version of the notoriously bumpy road course. The circuit serves as an ideal tune-up for the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 1, mirroring the bumps and changing surface types of temporary street circuits like St. Petersburg's layout.
Drivers were divided into two sessions each day, with each group switching time slots on the second day. Here's a breakdown based on unofficial times, keeping in mind that all teams have different programs and priorities during testing.
Top Session Times
The weather at Sebring was consistent, with sunny skies, air temperatures in the mid-70s, and light winds, providing a fair comparison of top times from each session:
- Monday a.m.: Alex Palou (No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) - 52.626 seconds
- Monday p.m.: Marcus Armstrong (No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing Honda) - 52.847
- Tuesday a.m.: Armstrong - 52.373
- Tuesday p.m.: Kyle Kirkwood (No. 27 Andretti Global Honda) - 52.479
Honda-powered drivers dominated all four sessions.
Armstrong's Rise
Marcus Armstrong (top photo) had a breakthrough year in 2025, his second full-time season in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and first with Meyer Shank Racing, finishing eighth in the championship.
This two-day test suggests Armstrong might be ready to challenge for the championship this season. He was the fastest driver in both sessions he participated in. His lap of 52.373 on Tuesday morning was the best overall, and he set the pace on Monday afternoon at 52.847.
However, Armstrong's Monday afternoon performance was only fifth overall, as Palou (52.626), Felix Rosenqvist (52.650), Rinus VeeKay (52.756), and Josef Newgarden (52.846) were faster in the morning. Despite this, Armstrong's performance is impressive.
Keep an eye on Armstrong as a potential breakout star and a strong contender for his first NTT INDYCAR SERIES victory.
Palou's Presence
It's no surprise that reigning and four-time series champion Alex Palou (above photo) led the time charts after the opening session on Monday in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. After all, he won eight of 17 races last season, dominating his competition.
Palou's performance slipped on Tuesday, finishing fifth at 52.874 in the afternoon, about four-tenths behind Kyle Kirkwood's session leader time of 52.479.
The Phoenix's Revival
The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season has one unassigned seat, the teammate to rookie and 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone champion Dennis Hauger at Dale Coyne Racing.
Series veteran Romain Grosjean (above, right) drove laps on Monday morning and Tuesday afternoon in DCR's No. 18 Honda, possibly setting the stage for a return to the team where he made his INDYCAR SERIES debut in 2021. Nicknamed 'The Phoenix' after surviving a fiery crash at the 2020 F1 season finale, Grosjean was 11th in his Monday morning session at 53.798, 1.172 seconds behind Palou's pace. On Tuesday, he improved to 53.220, 0.741 seconds behind session leader Kirkwood.
Grosjean achieved three podium finishes as a rookie with Coyne in 2021 before moving to Andretti Global for 2022-23 and Juncos Hollinger Racing in 2024. He was the reserve driver for PREMA Racing last season while racing full-time in sports cars.
Power and Malukas' Transition
The most publicized ride swap this offseason was David Malukas leaving AJ Foyt Racing to take over the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet from two-time series champion Will Power, who moved to Andretti Global's No. 26 TWG AI Honda.
Malukas (above) was quiet during his sessions, finishing ninth on Monday morning at 53.442, 0.816 seconds behind session leader Palou. He also trailed new teammate Newgarden by nearly six-tenths. On Tuesday, Malukas improved to 53.167, 0.688 seconds behind session leader Kirkwood and 0.149 seconds off Newgarden's pace.
Power, in his new ride, was sluggish on Monday afternoon, ninth at 53.337, 0.490 seconds behind leader Armstrong and 0.298 seconds behind Scott McLaughlin. However, he improved on Tuesday morning, finishing third at 52.611, 0.238 seconds behind Armstrong and 0.0258 seconds quicker than McLaughlin.
Rookie Report
Three drivers will compete for NTT INDYCAR SERIES Rookie of the Year honors in 2026, and it's early to assess their performance.
2025 INDY NXT by Firestone runner-up Caio Collet (above) was the quickest rookie during the two-day testing, with a top speed of 52.891 seconds in the team's No. 4 Chevrolet on Tuesday afternoon. This placed him sixth overall in that session, ahead of two-time series champion Newgarden and 2025 series runner-up Pato O'Ward.
Last year's INDY NXT champion, Dennis Hauger, was the second-quickest rookie, reaching a maximum speed of 53.226 in the No. 19 Dale Coyne Racing Honda.
The most prominent rookie, Formula One veteran Mick Schumacher, continued adjusting to INDYCAR SERIES racing, posting a top overall lap of 53.430 on Tuesday afternoon in the No. 47 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda. This was 0.252 seconds behind the top RLL driver, Louis Foster, at 53.178 in the team's No. 45 Honda.
However, Schumacher, the son of seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher, made progress from his Monday morning best lap of 54.269.
Ironically, the quickest rookie, Hunter McElrea, who made one INDYCAR SERIES start in 2024 at Mid-Ohio, was the fastest among drivers still with rookie status at 52.730 on Tuesday morning in the No. 20 ECR Chevrolet. McElrea has raced in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the last two seasons.
Up Next: Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix
Following this private team test, the next on-track session for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is an official sanctioning body session on February 17 and 18, the Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway.
All teams and drivers are expected to take laps on the 1.022-mile oval, returning to the series schedule for the first time since 2018 with the Good Ranchers 250 on March 7 during a doubleheader weekend with NASCAR.
Testing at Phoenix will be from 2-7 p.m. ET on February 17 and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. ET and 3:30-6:30 p.m. ET on February 18.
The Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway will be open to fans on February 18, offering free access and an autograph session from 12:45-1:15 p.m. MT for the first 300 fans visiting the Phoenix Raceway display in the Midway.
Live timing and scoring for both days of the Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway will be available on INDYCAR.com and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. Fans can also follow along on INDYCAR social channels.
